Cyber Security research across the University of Warwick has been recognised as an “Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research” (ACE-CSR) by the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The recognition was announced today by Ben Gummer MP, Minister for the Cabinet Office.

The Warwick Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research brings together researchers from a number of University of Warwick departments in particular WMG, Politics and International Studies (PAIS), Computer Science, Warwick Business School, and several others.

Chris Ensor, Deputy Director for Cyber Security Skills and Growth at the NCSC, said:

“It’s fantastic to see so many leading universities committed to trailblazing improvements to the UK’s cyber security research, and it is particularly good to see Scotland represented for the first time.

“At the NCSC, we are absolutely committed to maintaining and improving our already strong reputation as a global leader in cutting edge research, and look forward to collaborating with these establishments to make the UK the safest place to live and work online.

“These universities conduct world class cyber security research and this initiative will improve the way academics, government and business work together – benefiting the whole of the country.”

The continued success and growth of WMG, at the University of Warwick, now means that it is seeking to hire at least 170 new recruits - a 30% expansion on its current workforce. The search is on to find: engineers, researchers, project managers, data analysts, software developers, and technicians. They will play key roles in a significant number of high tech research projects that have been developed in partnership with a range of companies and research, technology and manufacturing initiatives. The areas of work will include:

• Energy Storage
• Intelligent and Autonomous Vehicles
• Sustainable Materials
• Remote Laser Welding
• Cyber Security
• Automation Systems
• Powertrain
• Experiential Engineering and Design

A recruitment Open Day will be held on Saturday 8 April for anyone who is interested in finding out more about the opportunities.

For details on the roles and how to apply see here, or call WMG HR on 02476522829

On Wednesday (22 March), our SME Group presented ‘Why Innovation Matters’ to SMEs across the Black Country.

The exclusive invite-only event took place at the NatWest Manufacturing Hub in Wolverhampton with speeches from Alison Rose, CEO of Commercial and Private Banking, and Richard Hill Head of Sector Automotive and Manufacturing at NatWest. Archie MacPherson CEO, WMG centre High Value Manufacturing Catapult and Paul Milne, Innovation Manager in our SME team, represented WMG.

Attendees were given a chance to hear first-hand about our SME Group’s specialist Product Innovation Accelerator Project. The Project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund. It was developed to help manufacturing SMEs, based in Coventry and Warwickshire and the Black Country, develop new products, processes and access new technology through collaboration.

Kateryna Hechu, the lead author of a research paper entitled ‘Real-Time Measurement of Contraction Behaviour of Peritectic Steels During Solidification,’ has, along with her co-authors been awarded the prestigious 2017 Jerry Silver Award by The Association of Iron and Steel Technology (AIST).

AIST represents an international network of steel industry knowledge and expertise. It is a non-profit organisation with 17,500 members from more than 70 countries.

The Jerry Silver award is presented to the author of a process metallurgy or product applications technical paper judged to be the ‘best of class’ by the AIST Metallurgy – Processing, Products and Applications Technology Committee. One of the authors must be a student.

We are excited to announce that we will be working with Cyber Scheme, by helping to run assessments for its newly accredited CSTL examination for the Team Leader qualification.

The Cyber Scheme is run by an independent board of directors drawn from a range of backgrounds but with significant experience in business and cyber security. The not-for-profit Cyber Scheme has been set up with the approval of NCSC (formerly GCHQ) as the national authority on cyber security.

A profile of Florence Hopper, the Young Women’s Trust ‘Exceptional Apprentice’ 2017 award winner (sponsored by WMG).

1. What advice would you offer to other young women starting out in their careers?

Network. Talk to, and get to know, as many people in the organisation as you can. It always helps to have friendly faces around the office, that way when you have a query you know people who can point you in the right direction. Take every opportunity that arises to grow your network, get involved in projects, or help with the company’s charity team.

Be proactive. Don’t wait for someone to tell you what to do. Instead ask them to show you how to do something, or ask if there’s anything you can help with. Often people are busy and perhaps don’t realise you have the time or capacity to help. By getting involved you learn more about the business and increase your knowledge, as well as demonstrating that you are willing to help.

Be persistent. Success can rarely be achieved without a great deal of hard work, and if it feels like you’re struggling it doesn’t mean that you are failing. Every set back is an opportunity to learn. It’s important to stay positive and keep working hard, even if it’s tough. The hard work will pay off.

And finally, be the best version of yourself that you can. Make the most of every opportunity that comes your way – you never know where it could take you.

WMG was delighted to welcome today, Professor Sir Mark Walport FRS, the Government Chief Scientific Advisor, accompanied by Dr Rupert Lewis, Director of the Government Office for Science.

Sir Mark had the opportunity to discuss science, engineering and wealth creation innovations from WMG and how WMG works side-by-side with industry to enable the creation and delivery of innovative new products, processes and services. After meeting with Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, he undertook a tour of WMG’s world-class research facilities, including the International Manufacturing Centre and the Energy Innovation Centre.

On Wednesday 15th February, Dr Antony Allen and Dr Juliette Soulard ran a special STEM fan-propelled boat making day at Richard Crosse Primary School in Staffordshire.

Thirty pupils from year 5 and 6 began by defining the mandatory boat requirements, sketching designs and making card prototypes. A risk assessment was undertaken and then a special floatation exercise. After morning break the children assembled their circuits, making sure to give the electrons some work to do in the motor and avoid a short circuit. The morning session was completed by cutting out the boat parts from polystyrene sheets and assembling them at the hot melt glue gun station. Well done Mr Davies for managing the orderly sharing of half a dozen hot melt glue guns between 30 children!

After a well-deserved lunch it was time to fill up a couple of paddling pools and perform a trial sail. None sank, all carried their pine-cone “Captain Dojo” passenger and, after considering the fan direction and blade profiles, all boats went forward too!

Pupils wrapped up the afternoon by critiquing their designs and reflecting on learning throughout the day. Afterwards, Juliette and Antony were put under intense interrogation, with the pupils asking probing questions on their engineering careers, electric smart cars, record breaking trains and the potential for solar powered flight.

A few days later some of the pupils then, much to the delight of their friends, showed off their creations in a boat race demo at a whole school assembly.

Materials for the boats were provided by the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, and the day was deemed so successful that we have been invited to run two similar sessions at partner schools.